Blackout system for the curved glass façades of Stadthalle Bielefeld

Custom-engineered solution for the automated blackout of large glass façades in civic halls and event venues

Stadthalle Bielefeld is a central congress and event venue in the heart of the city – with a capacity of up to 4,500 people. Designed by the architectural firm von Gerkan, Marg and Partner and opened in 1990, the building impresses with its semi-circular glass façades, creating light-filled interiors while simultaneously placing high demands on glare control and light management.

TÜCHLER solution: unique automated blackout system for curved glass façades

For this complex architectural challenge, TÜCHLER developed a completely new type of blackout system for large glass façades, based on the T-LOK curtain track system “Roller Coaster”.

3D track configurations for curtains and blackout systems

The TÜCHLER TT-2 track profile can be bent in two spatial directions – both horizontally and vertically. In this project, the track was curved horizontally to precisely match the curvature of the glass façade. This made it possible to realise a blackout curtain that integrates seamlessly into the arched architecture.

Modified T-LOK drives with positive gear drive

The proven self-travelling curtain drives T-LOK Type Roller Coaster were specially modified:

• Positive gear drive supporting the standard friction wheel drive – ensuring safe operation in vertical travel sections
• Spring brake for locking in the park position
• Synchronized movement of both drives via integrated racks and control system

Power supply and control technology via conductor rail system

A specially designed conductor rail system with 24 V power supply and separate conductors for encoder data and control signals ensures uninterrupted power and data transmission along the entire track length. This continuous energy and data supply enables precise, synchronized motion sequences and maximum operational reliability.

Intelligent control & operation

The system is centrally controlled via an intuitive control panel with optional remote control connection. At the touch of a button, each system side can be fully opened or closed – with precise, tangential guidance of the fabric edges along the track system.

System functionality & user comfort

When open, the blackout curtain remains concealed in a dedicated parking area. When closing, two T-LOK drives travel towards each other along the curved track system, drawing the specially manufactured blackout curtain with them – guided precisely tangentially, without diagonal tension. Within just a few minutes, a uniform, light-tight surface is created across the entire glass façade – reliable, quiet and low-maintenance.

Technical advantages & results

This automated TÜCHLER blackout system for large glass façades meets the highest standards of modern event and multipurpose halls:

• Automated blackout at the touch of a button – in minutes instead of hours
• Single-operator control – minimal staffing requirements
• Architecture-compliant integration – ideal for curved façades
• Positive-drive technology – precise and safe movement even in vertical sections
• Designed for continuous, low-maintenance operation – engineered for intensive event use

Conclusion: blackout solutions for modern event venues

With the automated blackout solution for Stadthalle Bielefeld, TÜCHLER sets a new benchmark in blackout technology for civic halls, exhibition centres and event venues with large glass façades.
This reference project demonstrates how functional light control can be perfectly integrated into complex architecture – technically precise, user-friendly and designed for continuous operation.

TÜCHLER - your partner for bespoke blackout systems in sophisticated event architecture.

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